Fuel injection valve

ABSTRACT

A fuel injector with a magnetic coil, which cooperates with an armature acted upon by a restoring spring, the armature forming an axially movable valve part together with a valve needle. A valve-closure member, which forms a sealing seat with a valve-seat member, is provided at the valve needle. An inner pole and an outer pole form a magnetic circuit with the magnetic coil. A membrane is positioned at an inflow-side end face of the inner pole, which includes at least one orifice, which is covered by the inner pole in the closed state of the fuel injector.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a fuel injector of the type set forth in the main claim.

[0002] As an example, from DE 196 26 576 A1 an electromagnetically actuable fuel injector is known, in which, for the electromagnetic actuation, an armature cooperates with an electrically energizable magnetic coil, and the lift of the armature is transmitted to a valve-closure member via a valve needle. The valve-closure member cooperates with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. A plurality of fuel channels is provided in the armature. The armature is reset by a resetting spring.

[0003] Disadvantageous in the fuel injector known from DE 196 26 576 is, in particular, that the fuel quantity q_(dyn) flowing through the fuel injector cannot be metered with sufficient precision when the valve-closure member lifts off from the sealing seat. The ratio of the maximally sprayed-off fuel quantity relative to the minimally sprayed-off fuel quantity, q_(max)/q_(min), is relatively low. The characteristic curve of the fuel injector, which represents the profile of the dynamic flow rate q_(dyn) as a function of the valve needle lift, is relatively flat, so that considerable fluctuations occur in the dynamic flow rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In contrast, the fuel injector according to the present invention having the characterizing features of the main claim has the advantage over the related art that the fuel flow through the fuel injector may be blocked by a membrane positioned at an inflow-side end face of the inner pole until the membrane is lifted up by elastic deformation and an orifice in the membrane is released in the process. The thereby ensuing fuel flow follows an approximately stepped lift-throttle function.

[0005] Advantageous further developments of the fuel injector specified in the main claim are rendered possible by the measures elucidated in the dependent claims.

[0006] It is advantageous, in particular, that, using a simple design, the membrane is in operative connection with the armature via a plunger. The individual parts may be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] The plunger and the membrane as well as the membrane and the inner pole are advantageously joined to each other by welding seams.

[0008] The plunger is inserted in a blind-end bore of the armature and thereby protected against slippage in an uncomplicated manner.

[0009] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the plunger reaches through the restoring spring acting upon the armature, as well as the sleeve applying initial stress to the restoring spring, thereby integrating the system in the fuel injector in a compact and space-saving manner.

[0010] Moreover, it is advantageous that the at least one orifice is dimensioned such that it does not act as a throttle and, thus, no lift throttling occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is represented in the drawing in simplified form and elucidated in greater detail in the following description.

[0012] The figures show:

[0013]FIG. 1 a schematic section through an exemplary embodiment of a fuel injector designed according to the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the dynamic flow rate q_(dyn) as a function of the valve needle lift of the fuel injector according to the present invention, as represented in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0015] In a part-sectional representation, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fuel injector 1 according to the present invention. It is in the form of a fuel injector 1 for fuel-injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines having external ignition. Fuel injector 1 is suited for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber (not shown) of an internal combustion engine.

[0016] Fuel injector 1 includes a tubular nozzle body 2, in which a valve needle 3 is positioned. Valve needle 3 is in operative connection with a valve-closure member 4, which cooperates with a valve-seat surface 6 positioned on a valve-seat member 5, to form a sealing seat. In the exemplary embodiment, fuel injector 1 is an inwardly opening fuel injector 1, which has a plurality of spray-discharge orifices 7.

[0017] Nozzle body 2 is connected to an outer pole 9 of a magnetic coil 10. Magnetic coil 10 is wound on a coil brace 12, which rests against an inner pole 13 at magnetic coil 10. Magnetic coil 10 is energized via an electric line (not shown further) by an electric current, which may be supplied via an electrical plug contact 17. Plug contact 17 may be encased by a plastic coating (not shown further).

[0018] Via a flange 14 into which valve needle 3 is inserted and which is connected to valve needle 3 via a welding seam 15, valve needle 3 is in force-locked connection with an armature 20. Flange 14 may be designed in one piece with armature 20 or be welded or bonded thereto. Positioned in a recess 19 of armature 20 is a restoring spring 23 which, in the present design of fuel injector 1, is prestressed by a sleeve 24.

[0019] Fuel is supplied to fuel injector 1 via a central fuel supply 16. It is conveyed to the sealing seat via a bore 29 in armature 20, via valve needle 3 having a tubular design, and via flow-through orifices 8 in valve needle 3.

[0020] According to the present invention, fuel injector 1, at an inflow-side end face 11 of inner pole 13, is provided with an elastic membrane 18, which is joined to inner pole 13 by, for instance, a circumferential welding seam 21. At least one orifice 22 is formed in membrane 18. Membrane 18 is in operative connection with armature 20 via a plunger 25, which reaches through sleeve 24 and restoring spring 23. To protect plunger 25 from slipping at armature 20, plunger 25 is inserted into a blind-end bore 26 of armature 20. Plunger 25 may be connected to membrane 18, for instance, by a welding seam 27.

[0021] In the closed state of fuel injector 1, which is represented in FIG. 1, armature 20 is acted upon by restoring spring 23 in such a way that the at least one orifice 22 of membrane 18 is covered by inner pole 13, since membrane 18 rests flatly on the inflow-side end face 11 of inner pole 13, and plunger 25, which is in operative connection with armature 20, is in its rest position, so that membrane 18 is not deformed by plunger 25. Valve-closure member 4, formed at valve needle 3, is sealingly held at valve seat 6. A working gap 28 formed between end face 30 of armature 20 and inner pole 13 is open.

[0022] When magnetic coil 10 is energized by the electric line (not shown further) via plug contact 17, a magnetic field is built up which pulls armature 20 to inner pole 13, counter to the force of restoring spring 23, thereby closing working gap 28 between inflow-side end face 11 of armature 20 and inner pole 13. Due to the movement of armature 20, plunger 25, having been inserted into blind-end bore 26 of armature 20, is also moved in a lift direction, counter to the pressure of membrane 18, thereby giving membrane 18 a convex shape in the lift direction. The at least one orifice 22 is released by the membrane lifting off from the inflow-side end face 11 of inner pole 13. As a result, the fuel supplied via central fuel supply 16, is able to flow to the sealing seat through the at least one orifice 22, as well as bore 29 in armature 20, and the valve needle.

[0023] If the coil current is switched off, armature 20 falls away from inner pole 13 after sufficient decay of the magnetic field, due to the pressure of restoring spring 23, whereupon valve needle 3, which is in operative connection with flange 14 at armature 20, moves in a direction counter to the lift direction. As a result, valve closure member 4 comes to rest on valve-seat surface 6, and fuel injector 1 is closed. Plunger 25 returns to its original position due to armature 20 falling away from inner pole 13, and due to the initial stress of membrane 18, which is joined to plunger 25 in a force-locking manner. The at least one orifice 22 is covered by inner pole 13 again.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of flow-rate quantity q_(dyn) flowing through fuel injector 1, as a function of lift h of valve needle 3 of fuel injector 1.

[0025] By the afore-described configuration of the at least one orifice 22 in membrane 18, a characteristic curve, which represents the dynamic flow rate q_(dyn) of fuel through the fuel injector as a function of a lift h of valve needle 3, may be adjusted or modeled. By an appropriate lift adjustment of valve needle 3, the fuel quantity required within the framework of the flow-rate precision to be obtained, will flow through fuel injector 1.

[0026] As a result of inner pole 13 covering the at least one orifice 22, no fuel is able to flow to the sealing seat at the beginning of the opening process. Only upon release of the at least one orifice 22, by membrane 18 being lifted up by plunger 25 when armature 20 is attracted, will the dynamic flow rate q_(dyn) rise rapidly, and in an approximately step-like manner, to a saturation value, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] The described measures are able to improve the dynamics of fuel injector 1 and lower the production cost, since the construction of a free path of the armature is omitted and the minimal fuel quantity flowing through fuel injector 1 is minimized.

[0028] The at least one orifice 22 in membrane 18 is dimensioned such that it does not act as a throttle, but allows an unthrottled fuel flow through fuel injector 1 once it is released.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and is also applicable, for instance, to fuel injectors 1 for mixture-compressing, self-ignitable internal combustion engines. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fuel injector (1) having a magnetic coil (10), which cooperates with an armature (20) acted upon by a restoring spring (23), the armature forming an axially movable valve part together with a valve needle (3); a valve-closure member (4), which forms a sealing seat with a valve-seat member (5), being provided at the valve needle (3); and having an inner pole (13) and an outer pole (9), which form a magnetic circuit with the magnetic coil, wherein a membrane (18) is positioned at an inflow-side end face (11) of the inner pole (13), which includes at least one orifice (22) which is covered in the closed state of the fuel injector (1).
 2. The fuel injector as recited in claim 1, wherein the membrane (18), via a plunger (25), is in operative connection with the armature (20).
 3. The fuel injector as recited in claim 2, wherein the plunger (25) is protected in a blind-end bore (26) of the armature (20).
 4. The fuel injector as recited in claim 2 or 3, wherein the plunger (25) is connected to the membrane (18) by force-locking.
 5. The fuel injector as recited in claim 4, wherein the membrane (18) is connected to the plunger (25) via a welding seam (27).
 6. The fuel injector as recited in one of claims 2 through 5, wherein the plunger (25) reaches through the restoring spring (23) as well as sleeve (24) prestressing the restoring spring (23).
 7. The fuel injector as recited in claim 6, wherein the restoring spring (23) applies an initial stress to the armature (20).
 8. The fuel injector as recited in one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the membrane (18) is joined to the inflow-side end face (11) of the inner pole (13) by a circumferential welding seam (21).
 9. The fuel injector as recited in one of claims 1 through 8, wherein, in an open state of the fuel injector (1), the at least one orifice (22) of the membrane (18) is released by means of elastic deformation of the membrane (18) by the plunger (25).
 10. The fuel injector as recited in one of claims 1 through 9, wherein, in the closed state of the fuel injector, the orifice (22) of the membrane (18) is covered by the inner pole (13). 